Mañana, Iguana - by Ann Whitford Paul (Paperback)

About the Book

Iguana is planning a fiesta. Tortuga the tortoise, Conejo the hare, and Gulebra the snake all want to come, but they don't want to help. The lazy trio lose out in this clever update of the story of the Little Red Hen told with a Mexican twist. Includes a glossary of Spanish words. Full color.

Book Synopsis

Full of fiesta fun and easy Spanish vocabulary, this fun twist on The Little Red Hen is sure to delight young readers.

Iguana wants to throw a party! Everyone thinks it's a great idea, but when she asks her friends to help, they're full of excuses. Conejo writes too fast, so no one could read the invitations if he wrote them. Tortuga can't deliver them because he walks so slowly. Culebra would be happy to help cook... if only he had arms. Maybe mañana, Iguana!

But when Iguana doesn't let them join the party, Tortuga, Culebra, and Conejo realize they've let their friend down. Tired out from hard work and good fun, Iguana goes to sleep-- she'll clean up mañana-- and her three friends come up with a way to make it up to her and fix their friendship.

Bright, cartoonish illustrations bring this simple tale to life, and a glossary explains all the Spanish words used in the story, including the days of the week. This is a great read-aloud with a heartwarming ending.

Review Quotes

"An excellent chance for young readers to practice using context clues and to learn some Spanish vocabulary."--Kirkus Reviews

"The lively, entertaining text will hold the attention of young readers. The illustrations are equally appealing, giving choice expressions to Iguana as well as the lazy animals."--The Horn Book

"Vibrant cartoon illustrations in watercolors and gouache propel the text, clearly revealing Iguana's joys, anger, and frustration. . . . A first choice"--School Library Journal

A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

About the Author

Ann Whitford Paul was a social worker before becoming a writer. Kirkus Reviews called her text for Mañana Iguana "clever" and said it is "an excellent chance for young readers ... to learn some Spanish vocabulary." Ann Whitford Paul writes poetry, picture books, and easy readers for children. Some of the picture books she wrote are "The Seasons Sewn: A Year in Patchwork," "All by Herself," and "Eight Hands Round: A Patchwork Alphabet." She lives in southern California.

Ethan Long created the animated cartoon Tasty Time with Ze Fronk. He is a Geisel Award winner and creator of The Croaky Pokey, the Wing Wing Brothers books and other hilarious works. He lives with his family in Florida.